Morning Read: ‘A True Gentleman’

Headline of the Day: “SILENCE OF THE GAMS: De Blasio keeps lips sealed on spokeswoman Lis Smith—who called out sick for press chat—shacking up with despicable Spitzer.”

The tabloids continued to lead with news that Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio‘s chief spokeswoman, Lis Smith, is dating her old boss, ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, but offered widely different takes.

“Give her the heave-ho, de Blasio,” advised the New York Post‘s Andrea Peyser in a seething column. “If Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has a lick of sense in his 6-foot-5 frame, he’ll cast out of his incoming administration Lis Smith, the randy Democratic operative who’s got a freaky fetish for the black knee socks and balding pate of married ex-Love Gov Eliot Spitzer,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, in the Daily News, consultant Alexis Grenell defended Ms. Smith and criticized the media for its portrayal of the pair’s relationship. Ms. Smith, she wrote, is “a consenting adult entitled to her privacy and dignity. … Yet in news reports, Smith has been transformed from an accomplished adult into a “leggy” sexpot and her professional future called into question because her choice of romantic partner raises eyebrows. In reality, Smith is just another casualty of the persistent cultural sexism that slut-shames women for having a sex life and being smart, too.”

TheNew York Timestook a look at the incoming City Council’s three remaining Republican members and the role they’ll play come January when the council is expected to skew even more to the left. “The three of us could fit in a telephone booth,” joked Vincent Ignizio, who struck a conciliatory tone. “One thing I have to say about Bill de Blasio is that he never makes it personal, and I think that is one of his great strengths,” added Eric Ulrich. “We may disagree, but we will not be disagreeable.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday cut the ribbon on the first section of the permanent pedestrian plaza in Times Square—an effort Mr. de Blasio has so far been hesitant to embrace. But Mr. Bloomberg predicted Mr. de Blasio would soon come around to the idea—or encounter difficulties. “I think he’ll take a look at this and find out that this is exactly the right thing to do,” he told reporters, adding, “You’d have a very tough time rolling this back.”

And New York City paid tribute to legendary radio reporter Stan Brooks, who died yesterday at 86. “Today, New York City today lost an honorable man, a legendary reporter and a trusted voice,” said Mr. Bloomberg, who last week named the City Hall radio room in Mr. Brooks’s honor.

“It’s very hard to imagine New York City without Stan Brooks,” echoed Mr. de Blasio in a statement. “He’s a voice that we all came to trust. He was always an honest broker. … He had a voice that really spoke to all New Yorkers. There was a humility to him. There was a decency to him. … We’ve lost someone who really epitomizes everything that’s good about New York City.”

“Stan Brooks was an institution in New York journalism,” added top cop Ray Kelly. “As police commissioner, I’ve had the pleasure to be on the other end of many of Stan’s questions, and first and foremost, he was fair and accurate. Stan was a true gentleman and will be missed by all those fortunate to have crossed paths with him, both personally and professionally.”